Nelson Mandela: His Legacy, His Failures and Western Leaders’ Hypocrisy

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Born 18 July 1918. Died 5 December 2013 (aged 95)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the icon of the South African anti Apartheid movement, father of the Black South African nation, and inspiration for revolutionaries worldwide, died yesterday at the age of 95; his legacy will never be forgotten, his failures are often overlooked, and the hypocrisy of Western leaders in fake mourning whilst instigating wars in Africa and continuing the legacy of economic colonialism was sickening to the stomach.

The crocodile tears of Western leaders

When the world’s media announced that Nelson Mandela had passed away at his family home at the age of 95, the tributes that poured in from leaders all over the world reminded me of the Italian mafia films, where a deceased elder’s funeral is presided over by men who plotted to kill him whilst he was alive.

It was sickening to hear UK Prime Minister David Cameron mention:

“A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death – a true global hero.

This is the same Cameron as a young Conservative who in 1989, went to Apartheid South Africa funded by a firm that was against the sanctions to bring down the Apartheid regime.

According to Former Cabinet Minister Peter Hain:

“This is the real Conservative Party … his colleagues who used to wear ‘Hang Nelson Mandela’ badges at university are now sitting on the benches around him. Their leader at the time Margaret Thatcher described Mandela as a terrorist.”

Then we had former UK Prime Minister and war criminal, Tony Blair, who said:

“Through his leadership, he guided the world into a new era of politics in which black and white, developing and developed, north and south … stood for the first time together on equal terms.”

“Through his dignity, grace and the quality of his forgiveness, he made racism everywhere not just immoral but stupid; something not only to be disagreed with, but to be despised. In its place he put the inalienable right of all humankind to be free and to be equal.”

The same Blair who according to Hain was chastised by an angry Mandela when he took Britain into war over Iraq in 2003. Hain said that Mandela felt “betrayed” by Blair.

According to Charlie Kimber (Nelson Mandela 1918-2013: Socialist Worker: 5 December, 2013), the US kept Mandela “on a terrorist list, banning his from travel to the US—until 2008.”

It was sickening listening to war criminals, warmongers and murderers commenting on a man who only turned to violence because he was dealing with a violent dictatorship.

Mandela’s Legacy and failures

The legacy that Mandela leaves behind is immense. He spent 27 years in prison before he was released. The fact that he survived his ordeal is a testament to the strength of his character. A strength that has inspired many people fighting against oppression all over the world.

Yet despite his many strengths, it is his weaknesses that is rarely explored or spoken of, perhaps because many felt it would be disrespectful to a man who gave his life for change and freedom for his people.

Yet, it is these weaknesses that are rarely spoken about that account for the continuing economic and social disparities between black South Africans and white South Africans today.

Mandela courted big business which is why when he was released and became South Africa’s first Black President, the white corporate world cheered, because much of the economic infrastructure which kept the minority white South Africans in power was still intact. The main changes, would be a new small black South African elite, and the majority of black South Africans poor and still destitute; and of course the historic right for black South Africans to vote. Yet Mandela accepted a disastrous International Monetary Fund plan, which basically handed over the resources of the country and the services to private companies.

Mandela was the leader of a political party which was suppose to nationalise the country’s main resources, but on his leadership in 1994 until 1999, this never happened. These failures are significant because in the words of Kimber:

“…today South Africa is the second most unequal country in the world. Two thirds of people live below the poverty line.”

“Unemployment is officially at 25 percent, but is probably really almost double that. And the strikes and township risings have returned.”

From this perspective the struggle continued for black South Africans to have freedom over their economic future.

Yet Mandela’s legacy is numerous. One only has to listen to the people in South Africa who was inspired by him. A generation who was born with the right to vote. His influence over the future of South Africa is beyond measure; but it is his endurance and strength that we should draw from to overcome the enemies of peace and human cooperation. The very enemies who spoke favourably of him and will no doubt be at his funeral with false tears and grief to milk off his greatness.

1 Response to Nelson Mandela: His Legacy, His Failures and Western Leaders’ Hypocrisy

There is no point arguing that Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest leaders the African continent has produced in history. Here are some of Nelson Mandela’s best quotes:“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death”. I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses .“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.” “One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.” “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”